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Tangsathajaroenporn W, Panumasvivat J, Wangsan K, Muangkaew S, Kiratipaisarl W. Factors affecting the work ability of nursing personnel with post-COVID infection. Sci Rep 2024; 14:9694. [PMID: 38678079 PMCID: PMC11055948 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-60437-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Post-COVID infection have raised concerns regarding their impact on nursing personnel's work ability. This study aimed to assess the relationship between post-COVID infection and work ability among nursing personnel. A retrospective observational study from December 2022 to January 2023 involved 609 nursing personnel with a history of COVID-19 infection at a tertiary hospital. An online questionnaire measured post-COVID infection, personal and working factors, and the Work Ability Index (WAI). Long COVID was defined as the continuation or development of new symptoms 1 month post COVID-19 infection. Of 609 personnel, 586 showed post-COVID symptoms (fatigue, cough, difficulty breathing, etc.), with 73.72% in the short COVID group and 26.28% in the long COVID group. A significant association was found between WAI and post-COVID infection (aOR: 3.64, 95% CI 1.59-8.30), with the short COVID group had a significantly higher WAI than the long COVID group (mean difference 2.25, 95% CI 1.44-3.05). The factors related to work ability in the long COVID group were chronic diseases, work limitation, low job control (P < 0.05). Post-COVID infection, especially long COVID, adversely affect nursing personnel's work ability. Enhancing job control and addressing work limitations are crucial for supporting their return to work.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jinjuta Panumasvivat
- Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, 110 Intawaroros Road, Sri Phum Subdistrict, Chiang Mai City, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand.
- Environmental and Occupational Medicine Excellence Center (EnOMEC), Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai City, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand.
| | - Kampanat Wangsan
- Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, 110 Intawaroros Road, Sri Phum Subdistrict, Chiang Mai City, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand
- Environmental and Occupational Medicine Excellence Center (EnOMEC), Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai City, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand
| | - Supang Muangkaew
- Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital, Chiang Mai City, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand
| | - Wuttipat Kiratipaisarl
- Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, 110 Intawaroros Road, Sri Phum Subdistrict, Chiang Mai City, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand
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Youssfi I, Mechergui N, Ziedi H, Mersni M, Chemingui S, Haouari W, Aouida D, Youssef I, Ladhari N. Work ability and mental health at return to work after COVID-19: A descriptive study among healthcare workers. Work 2024:WOR230352. [PMID: 38489207 DOI: 10.3233/wor-230352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/17/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Healthcare workers (HCW) may experience anxiety and prolonged work schedules during pandemics. The mental health status after a COVID-19 infection and the work ability of HCW are interesting criteria in assessing their fitness to work at the return to work (RTW) medical visit. OBJECTIVES To assess mental health and work ability after a COVID-19 infection among HCW at the RTW medical visit. METHODS An observational cross-sectional and descriptive study was carried out among HCW of Charles Nicolle Hospital of Tunisia infected with COVID-19 from September to December 2020. Anxiety and depression were screened using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HAD). The perceived ability to work at RTW was measured using the Work Ability Index (WAI). RESULTS We included 531 HCW. The median age was 40 years. HCW belonged to surgical departments (36.9%) and were nurses (32.4%). The median delay to RTW was 15 days (IQR: 13-18). At the RTW medical visit, certain anxiety and depression were found in 36.5% and 33.3% of the patients respectively. The perceived work ability was evaluated as good to very good in 37.8% of cases. The delay to RTW increased proportionally with a better-perceived work ability (p = 0.007). CONCLUSION Our study described the perceived work ability and the prevalence of anxiety and depression among the HCW at the RTW medical visit after COVID-19 infection in the early stages of the pandemic. Specific strategies for RTW after COVID-19 should take into consideration the mental health and work ability of HCW.
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Affiliation(s)
- Imen Youssfi
- Department of Occupational Medecine, Charles Nicolle Hospital, Tunis, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Najla Mechergui
- Department of Occupational Medecine, Charles Nicolle Hospital, Tunis, Tunis, Tunisia
- Faculty of Medecine of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Hiba Ziedi
- Department of Occupational Medecine, Charles Nicolle Hospital, Tunis, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Mariem Mersni
- Department of Occupational Medecine, Charles Nicolle Hospital, Tunis, Tunis, Tunisia
- Faculty of Medecine of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Siwar Chemingui
- Department of Occupational Medecine, Charles Nicolle Hospital, Tunis, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Wala Haouari
- Department of Occupational Medecine, Charles Nicolle Hospital, Tunis, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Dorra Aouida
- Department of Occupational Medecine, Charles Nicolle Hospital, Tunis, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Imen Youssef
- Department of Occupational Medecine, Charles Nicolle Hospital, Tunis, Tunis, Tunisia
- Faculty of Medecine of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Nizar Ladhari
- Department of Occupational Medecine, Charles Nicolle Hospital, Tunis, Tunis, Tunisia
- Faculty of Medecine of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
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Alonso MS, Lima MCP, Dias A, Camacho-Vega JC, García-Iglesias JJ, Ruiz-Frutos C, Bernardes JM, Gómez-Salgado J. Psychological distress among Brazilian workers during the initial stage of the COVID-19 pandemic: a descriptive study. Front Public Health 2024; 12:1283310. [PMID: 38439755 PMCID: PMC10910103 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1283310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 03/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Background COVID-19 pandemic imposed drastic and abrupt changes to working environment and organization and that might have caused additional negative effects on mental health. Thus, this study aimed to quantify and assess the severity of psychological distress experienced by Brazilian essential and nonessential workers during the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods This descriptive study included 2,903 participants who answered an online questionnaire between April and May 2020. The research questionnaire was translated and culturally adapted to the Brazilian population from a questionnaire developed and validated for the Spanish population. Variables were analyzed using simple and cumulative percentage distributions and measures of central tendency and dispersion. The Wilson score interval was used to calculate confidence interval (CI) for the main outcome, psychological distress. Results It was observed a high prevalence (72.6%) of psychological distress among the study's participants. They also presented a median risk perception score of 60 (out of a maximum of 90), and their greatest concern was transmitting the virus to family members, close contacts or patients. Furthermore, it was found a lower sense of coherence and work engagement among the participants than those observed in previous studies conducted in other countries. Conclusion Almost three quarters of the study's participants were classified as presenting psychological distress. Thus, it is imperative to provide mental health remotely delivered interventions to workers during public health events that require prolonged social distancing measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa Spröesser Alonso
- Public/Collective Health Graduate Program, Botucatu Medical School, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, Brazil
| | - Maria Cristina Pereira Lima
- Public/Collective Health Graduate Program, Botucatu Medical School, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, Brazil
| | - Adriano Dias
- Public/Collective Health Graduate Program, Botucatu Medical School, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, Brazil
| | - Juan Carlos Camacho-Vega
- Department of Architectural Construction II, Higher Technical School of Building Engineering, University of Seville, Seville, Spain
| | - Juan Jesus García-Iglesias
- Faculty of Labour Sciences, Department of Sociology, Social Work, and Public Health, University of Huelva, Huelva, Spain
| | - Carlos Ruiz-Frutos
- Faculty of Labour Sciences, Department of Sociology, Social Work, and Public Health, University of Huelva, Huelva, Spain
- Safety and Health Postgraduate Programme, Universidad Espíritu Santo, Guayaquil, Ecuador
| | - João Marcos Bernardes
- Public/Collective Health Graduate Program, Botucatu Medical School, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, Brazil
| | - Juan Gómez-Salgado
- Faculty of Labour Sciences, Department of Sociology, Social Work, and Public Health, University of Huelva, Huelva, Spain
- Safety and Health Postgraduate Programme, Universidad Espíritu Santo, Guayaquil, Ecuador
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Siegrist J. Psychosocial Occupational Health-A Priority for Middle-Income Countries? Healthcare (Basel) 2023; 11:2988. [PMID: 37998480 PMCID: PMC10671275 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare11222988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Revised: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
In response to new developments of work and employment in high-income countries (HICs), psychosocial aspects of work and health have received increased attention. In contrast, middle-income countries (MICs) are mainly concerned with severe challenges of noxious- and dangerous-material work environments, poor employment conditions, and deficient social policies, which leaves the psychosocial aspects with a marginal role, at best, in occupational health. More recently, differences between these two worlds were even aggravated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet, with economic globalisation and the growing worldwide interconnectivity, the world of work in MICs is being rapidly transformed, starting to share several concerns with the modern Western societies. In this process, psychosocial occupational health will become an increasingly pressing issue. This contribution explores the extent to which psychosocial aspects of work and health are already addressed in research originating from MICs. Using a narrative review approach, a selective focus on recent findings from two regions, Asia Pacific and Latin America, revealed an increasing interest in work stress-related problems, but a restricted impact of the respective research findings. It is hoped that future scientific developments in MICs will enrich the international state of the art in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes Siegrist
- Centre for Health and Society, Faculty of Medicine, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
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Müller K, Poppele I, Ottiger M, Zwingmann K, Berger I, Thomas A, Wastlhuber A, Ortwein F, Schultz AL, Weghofer A, Wilhelm E, Weber RC, Meder S, Stegbauer M, Schlesinger T. Impact of Rehabilitation on Physical and Neuropsychological Health of Patients Who Acquired COVID-19 in the Workplace. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:1468. [PMID: 36674222 PMCID: PMC9864141 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20021468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2022] [Revised: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Workers, especially healthcare workers, are exposed to an increased risk for SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, less is known about the impact of rehabilitation on health outcomes associated with post-COVID. This longitudinal observational study examined the changes in physical and neuropsychological health and work ability after inpatient rehabilitation of 127 patients (97 females/30 males; age 21-69 years; Mean = 50.62) who acquired COVID-19 in the workplace. Post-COVID symptoms, functional status, physical performance, neuropsychological health, employment, and work ability were assessed before and after rehabilitation. Group differences relating to sex, professions, and acute COVID status were also analyzed. Except for fatigue, the prevalence of all post-COVID symptoms decreased after rehabilitation. Significant improvements in physical performance and neuropsychological health outcomes were determined. Moreover, healthcare workers showed a significantly greater reduction in depressive symptoms compared to non-healthcare workers. Nevertheless, participants reported poor work ability, and 72.5% of them were still unable to work after discharge from rehabilitation. As most participants were still suffering from the impact of COVID-19 at rehabilitation discharge, ongoing strategies in aftercare are necessary to improve their work ability. Further investigations of this study population at 6 and 12 months after rehabilitation should examine the further course of post-COVID regarding health and work ability status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrin Müller
- Institute of Human Movement Science and Health, Faculty of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Chemnitz University of Technology, 09107 Chemnitz, Germany
| | - Iris Poppele
- Institute of Human Movement Science and Health, Faculty of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Chemnitz University of Technology, 09107 Chemnitz, Germany
| | - Marcel Ottiger
- Institute of Human Movement Science and Health, Faculty of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Chemnitz University of Technology, 09107 Chemnitz, Germany
| | - Katharina Zwingmann
- Institute of Human Movement Science and Health, Faculty of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Chemnitz University of Technology, 09107 Chemnitz, Germany
| | - Ivo Berger
- BG Hospital for Occupational Disease Bad Reichenhall, 83435 Bad Reichenhall, Germany
| | - Andreas Thomas
- BG Hospital for Occupational Disease Bad Reichenhall, 83435 Bad Reichenhall, Germany
| | - Alois Wastlhuber
- BG Hospital for Occupational Disease Bad Reichenhall, 83435 Bad Reichenhall, Germany
| | - Franziska Ortwein
- BG Hospital for Occupational Disease Bad Reichenhall, 83435 Bad Reichenhall, Germany
| | - Anna-Lena Schultz
- BG Hospital for Occupational Disease Bad Reichenhall, 83435 Bad Reichenhall, Germany
| | - Anna Weghofer
- BG Hospital for Occupational Disease Bad Reichenhall, 83435 Bad Reichenhall, Germany
| | - Eva Wilhelm
- BG Hospital for Occupational Disease Bad Reichenhall, 83435 Bad Reichenhall, Germany
| | | | - Sylvia Meder
- BG Hospital for Occupational Disease Bad Reichenhall, 83435 Bad Reichenhall, Germany
| | - Michael Stegbauer
- BG Hospital for Occupational Disease Bad Reichenhall, 83435 Bad Reichenhall, Germany
| | - Torsten Schlesinger
- Institute of Human Movement Science and Health, Faculty of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Chemnitz University of Technology, 09107 Chemnitz, Germany
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Asaba E, Farias L, Åkesson E. Return to work after COVID-19: Experiences and expectations from the first wave of COVID-19 in Stockholm. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0279000. [PMID: 36525431 PMCID: PMC9757560 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0279000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In Stockholm (Sweden) a substantial number of persons who were infected with SARS-CoV-2 during spring 2020, and received intensive care followed by rehabilitation due to COVID-19, were of working age. For this group, return to work (RTW) is an important part of the rehabilitation, however this is an area that thus far has received little scholarly attention. The Aim of this study was two-fold. First, to descriptively look at self-reported work ability over time using the Work Abilty Index among working age adults who recovered from severe COVID-19, and secondly, to explore experiences and expectations concerning RTW among working age adults who recovered from severe COVID-19. METHODS Focus group interviews and qualitative thematic analyses were utilized. In addition, the study populations' self-reported work ability index was recorded over one year. FINDINGS Qualitative analysis of data resulted in 5 themes: a) Initial experiences after discharge from in-patient rehabilitation, b) Disparate first contact with work, c) Uncertainties about own role in RTW process, d) Working situation for those who had started getting back to work, and e) A need to reprioritize expectations for work in the context of everyday life. There were no statistical differences in work ability index scores between 18 and 52 weeks after discharge from an in-patient rehabilitation unit. CONCLUSION RTW after COVID-19 can require systematic support for several months as well as be initiated earlier in the rehabilitation process. Further research in the area is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Asaba
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Science, & Society (NVS), Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Unit for Research, Education, Development, and Innovation, Stockholms Sjukhem, Stockholm, Sweden
- * E-mail:
| | - Lisette Farias
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Science, & Society (NVS), Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Elisabet Åkesson
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Science, & Society (NVS), Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Unit for Research, Education, Development, and Innovation, Stockholms Sjukhem, Stockholm, Sweden
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Mendola M, Leoni M, Cozzi Y, Manzari A, Tonelli F, Metruccio F, Tosti L, Battini V, Cucchi I, Costa MC, Carrer P. Long-term COVID symptoms, work ability and fitness to work in healthcare workers hospitalized for Sars-CoV-2 infection. LA MEDICINA DEL LAVORO 2022; 113:e2022040. [PMID: 36282031 PMCID: PMC9632671 DOI: 10.23749/mdl.v113i5.13377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND COVID-19 can affect the persistence of symptoms and work ability (WA), hence the fitness to work of healthcare workers (HCW). We describe the effects of COVID-19 in hospitalized HCWs of a large Hospital in Lombardy and their implications on WA and fitness to work. METHODS Fifty-six HCWs of Fatebenefratelli-Sacco Hospital have been hospitalized for COVID-19 since March 2020. Clinical and fitness-to-work data were acquired from Occupational Health Surveillance Program. A structured questionnaire was administered to 53/56 HCWs 18 months after infection to investigate Long-COVID symptoms and WA. RESULTS Symptoms most reported at recovery (rhino-pharyngeal swab-NPS-negative) were exertional dyspnea (86.8%), asthenia (86.8%), arthro-myalgia (71.7%), sleep disorders (64.2%), resting dyspnea (62.3%), cough (56.6%). 69.6% underwent evaluation at out-patient clinics experienced in Long-COVID. Ten months after recovery, symptoms related to physical well-being decreased while memory and anxiety/depression were more persistent. At recovery, the WA score decreased from 10 to 8, and then an improvement from 8 to 9 was noted during the survey. At the return-to-work examination, fit-to-work judgements with restrictions increased from 31.4% to 58.7%; then, a slight decrease in the rate of judgements with restrictions was observed at the survey's time. CONCLUSION Post-COVID-19 symptoms can persist for a long time and could impact WA and fitness-to-work of HCW. Adequate health surveillance protocols should guarantee the health protection of HCW with persistent disorders after COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Mendola
- Occupational Health Unit, Fatebenefratelli-Sacco University Hospital, Milan
| | - Marco Leoni
- School of Occupational Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Ylenia Cozzi
- School of Occupational Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea Manzari
- School of Occupational Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Fabio Tonelli
- Occupational Health Unit, Fatebenefratelli-Sacco University Hospital, Milan
| | - Francesca Metruccio
- International Centre for Pesticides and Health Risk Prevention, Fatebenefratelli-Sacco University Hospital, Milan
| | - Luca Tosti
- International Centre for Pesticides and Health Risk Prevention, Fatebenefratelli-Sacco University Hospital, Milan
| | - Vera Battini
- Unit of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Isabella Cucchi
- Occupational Health Unit, Fatebenefratelli-Sacco University Hospital, Milan
| | | | - Paolo Carrer
- Occupational Health Unit, Fatebenefratelli-Sacco University Hospital, Milan,Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences “L. Sacco”, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
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